US6285984B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Internet-audiotext electronic advertising system with anonymous bi-directional messaging

Assignee: NETDATE OF TEXAS LLC

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Filing: 1997-02-12

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Granted: 2001-09-04

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Expires: 2017-02-12

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Abstract

Abstract The present invention relates to an electronic advertising system. More specifically, the present invention allows telephone users to create a “mailbox” at the point of responding to an ad, regardless of whether the ad originated on the telephone or on the Internet. Similarly, Internet users can create a “mailbox” at the point of responding to a personal ad on the Internet, regardless of whether the ad originated on the telephone or via the Internet. By giving both advertisers and respondents a “mailbox”, the present invention allows for anonymous communication until one or both are comfortable with giving out a means of contact. Moreover, the communication can occur regardless of whether a user is on a telephone or on the Internet. This provides additional safety for users of personal ad systems while preserving the ability for telephone users to communicate with Internet users.

Inventors

👤 Gregory J. Speicher

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —

Jurisdiction US

Data Source google_patents

Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 23:15

CPC Classifications

G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0241; G06Q30/0277; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/04; H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/487; H04M3/493; H04M3/4938; H04M2201/00; H04M2201/60; H04M3/4872; H04M3/4878; H04M7/00; H04M7/0024; H04M7/0054; H04M7/12; H04M7/1205; H04M7/128

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 18

Claim 1

Independent Claim 100 words

An apparatus for providing a computer based advertising system, wherein said apparatus comprises: means for an advertiser to place an advertisement; means for publishing said advertisement on the Internet; and means for a respondent to create a voice mailbox via telephone; wherein said respondent records a first voice message for said advertiser via telephone; wherein said advertiser retrieves said first voice message via telephone and records a second voice message for said respondent via telephone; and wherein said respondent retrieves said second voice message via telephone; and wherein said voice mailbox allows said respondent to anonymously respond to said advertisement.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 100 words

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 31 words

An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further comprises: means for said advertiser to record a voice greeting; and means for playing said voice greeting via the Internet.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 15 words

An apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said voice greeting is recorded via telephone.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 16 words

An apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said voice greeting is recorded via the Internet.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 16 words

An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said advertisement is placed via a live operator.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 18 words

An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said advertisement is placed via an interactive voice response system.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 15 words

An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said advertisement is placed via the Internet.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 16 words

An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said advertisement is published in a printed medium.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 36 words

An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further comprises: means for a second advertiser to place a second advertisement via the Internet; and means for responding to said second advertisement via electronic mail.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 20 words

An apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein said apparatus further comprises: means for retrieving said electronic mail via telephone.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 41 words

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 20 words

An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said apparatus further comprises: means for retrieving said voice message via telephone.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 41 words

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 26 words

An apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein said apparatus further comprises: means for retrieving an audio recording portion of said video message via a telephone.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 32 words

An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further comprises: means for a second advertiser to place a second advertisement via the Internet; wherein said second advertisement includes a photograph.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 33 words

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 33 words

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2004-09-03	2005-03-05	2005-09-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2008-09-03	2009-03-05	2009-09-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2012-09-03	2013-03-05	2013-09-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

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